Colombia - El Cedro

Servio Tulio is a relative novice in coffee cultivation, but many could only envy his results. For the last fourth years, he has participated in the prestigious COE competition and placed among the top finalists
Servio and his wife, Nelcy Yohana, inherited their farm from their parents, like most farmers in the region. Similar to their parents, they have been growing sugar cane. A few years back, he was motivated by his neighbours to turn part of his land to cultivate coffee. They correctly recognized the potential of the soil and microclimate of the site.
Until this year, he has cultivated only pink bourbon variety. Newly he planted geisha trees too. Hiking the farmland, you are rewarded with a spectacular view over the mountains towards the Magdalena River valley. Servio leads you around his property proudly and with a smile and excitement to share, even though he admits that it was not always easy. There were moments when he thought they would need to sell the land to pay all the debts. That was when his neighbors and our Colombian export partner supported him, and he took the courage to overcome the time His wife is his daily helper in their joined effort, and when you ask their older daughter, she smiles and nods that after finishing her studies, she will be farming too. A new generation of coffee growers may be born. Let’s hope so!
Blanca is born and raised in San Agustin. Along with coffee, she cultivates beans, peas, and corn. But in coffee she founds a stable source
of income and a genuine passion. She attended several trainings and engaged with InConexus at Women Power and Huila Programs. She
also participated in various contests, like the prestigious Cup of Excellence. She was three years in a row positioned among the finalists.
She believes that all those investments and efforts are contributing to the quality of her coffees and stability of her income. She hopes also to be
able to prove, especially to the young generation in the region, that coffee with time and dedication is a valuable professional carrer.